“Ship to Gaza”: The role of the Cypriot Government

From “Eleftheri Mesogeios” Ship
International waters south of Cyprus, 29/5/2010, 13:00

The Role of the Cypriot Government
The Cypriot government banned European parliamentarians – including two Greeks, one Cypriot MEP, journalists, academia and other citizens to leave, with private boats, from a Cypriot port to join Freedom Flotilla. This action of the Cypriot government harmed this international mission, especially the Greek and Cypriot part, depriving it from the "human shield" thought to be some of these members. They were trapped in the island, with their right as citizens, who legally entered the territory of Cyprus, to move freely and to leave without any obstacle by sea to any legal destination of their choice, violated.

This attitude is reminiscent of past regimes and caused the reaction of many European governments. Apart form the trauma to the “Freedom Flotilla” mission from the Israeli plan unfolded these days in Cyprus, a major issue for the long term interests of the Cypriot case and the people of Cyprus issue has been created. Three thousand years of history in the Eastern Mediterranean, created the most powerful bonds of friendship and trust with neighboring Arab nations, particularly with the Palestinian people resisting under occupation, the common heritage of struggles for freedom and anti-siege have been abolished, cutting thus Cyprus from its strategic allies. The geopolitical and diplomatic weakness of Cyprus in international organizations arises a risk that can occur in the next period, so as to irreparably harm the Cyprus case.

This submissive attitude of the Cypriot government to the Israeli plan in preventing the mission is suicidal for Cyprus because it forced many European parliamentarians, surprised by this action, to pass in the occupied north, so they can freely reach international waters from Famagusta and so from there to join the other ships of the mission. Supporters of the Palestinian issue may not support anymore the Cyprus
issue.

We strongly condemn the attitude of the Cypriot government for its - out of any legal framework - decision to hit the largest ever solidarity and humanitarian mission to the people of Gaza, effectively assigning its territorial waters to Israel.